Darren Fells Could Be The Patriots’ 2020 Version Of Benjamin Watson

The Super Bowl is over now, and everyone is so focused on the upcoming free agency. It starts on March 18, and this will be a big free agency for the New England Patriots. Quarterback Tom Brady will hit the open market, and the team will have to try really hard to build the roster in the upcoming season. Darren Fells seems to be the most interesting player to consider at this point in the offseason.

Fells is a former pro basketball player. He joined the NFL when the Seattle Seahawks offered him a contract as an undrafted rookie in 2013. Seattle didn’t give him too many opportunities, so the Arizona Cardinals picked him up. Fells became a solid rotational tight end for the next three seasons. After one-year stints in Detroit and Cleveland, the tight end ended up playing with the Houston Texans. This was the best season of his career, and Fells set a franchise record for tight ends with eight receiving touchdowns.

Darren Fells may be the right player for the Pats

In 2019, he saw action in 18 games, and had 59 targets, 41 receptions, 400 receiving yards, 8 receiving touchdowns.

“Daniel Fells has to be in my Top 10 for guys I’d least like to tackle. He’s a monster of a man, and it does make him an asset in the red zone. That said, he might be the worst blocking tight end in the league, which is truly saying something.

“Fells had moments for the Texans in 2019, but Bill O’Brien has no idea how to use tight ends on a week to week basis. Even Ryan Griffin looked competent at times for the Jests in 2019, after all. Fells had his best games against poor linebackers, which kinda figures, with his game against the Chiefs (non-playoff variety) being a sample of what he can do with a competent offensive coordinator.

“At this point, Fells’ best spot is as a move tight end. You really can’t ask him to block, but he can hurt you in the passing game. Fells is precisely the kind of player I can see Bill Belichick using to great advantage. Think Benjamin Watson with more after the catch value.”